Zootopia 2

 

This review may contain spoilers!

Zootopia 2 is the sequel to Zootopia (2016) and continues the adventures of Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. This unlikely crime-solving duo's partnership is tested when a snake's return to Zootopia upsets the entire city. It will take our heroes to crack the mystery of this case and to find out why those in charge of Zootopia want to keep him quiet.

Something that I really admire about both Zootopia films is that they have some really relevant messages to deliver to a modern audience. We can get delighted by the visual interpretations of what an animal city might look like, how everyday tasks have been developed to work for a sheep, giraffe or bison all living in the same block as one another. But within all this inventive worldbuilding, the film draws our eye to those foundational moments of thinking: how do different creatures living together actually make it work? We got to see prejudices between carnivores and herbivores challenged in Zootopia. This time, our story presents us with reptiles and the origins of the city itself. We are presented with a powerful narrative about an idea to bring all animals together in one place that was stolen by a greedy, rich mogul, who used the concept to push out an entire species from their home. It's a movie about colonisation and paying attention to those who have been removed from their home. I also think the film has a wonderful core story around Judy and Nick. This duo has their ability to stay together as a cohesive partnership really tested, and I liked watching them rise to the challenge for one another. There is a twist around the true antagonist for this film, which really impressed me and lifted the quality of the plot up quite a bit.

The animation here is really vibrant, toting a range of colours and character models that make no one panel alike from the others. This is a very action-heavy film, and the fast-paced style of animation doesn't compromise on clarity. There are also so many well-considered visual gags scattered throughout this feature. The score for Zootopia 2 is a real invitation for adventure, transporting the audience right into the thrill of a moment. I also loved the headliner song for the film, 'Zoo' by Shakira, which is definitely a worthy successor to 'Try Everything'.

Ginnifer Goodwin, who voiced Judy Hopps, is a solid protagonist as the duty-first hero we came to love the first time around; Goodwin really captures Judy's mission at all costs outlook nicely here. Jason Bateman, who voiced Nick Wilde, really gets to stand out and lead more in this one; Bateman's dry, casual wit is perfectly paired with this charismatic fox. Andy Samberg, who voiced Pawbert Lynxley, is a loveable dork for a lot of the film; Samberg also pulls off the big heel turn moment phenomenally. David Strathairn, who voiced Milton Lynxley, is an extremely cold-hearted antagonist; Strathairn has a real hard edge to his voice that makes for a good bad guy. Idris Elba, who voiced Chief Bogo, doesn't have as much to do this time around, but still plays his part well; the no-nonsense police captain bit still works well in Elba's hands. Patrick Warburton, who voiced Mayor Winddancer, is a nice gag at the actor turned political figure; Warburton leans in with an overly dramatic angle to great effect. Quinta Brunson, who voiced Dr Fuzzby, has a calming voice that suits her therapist character; this even tone contrasts nicely with the absurdity of the scene she's working within. Danny Trejo, who voiced Jesús, is quite the mysterious figure at first; Trejo also delivers quite a bit of important exposition in a way that really grabs your attention. Maurice LaMarche, who voiced Mr Big, is a Godfather parody gag that I absolutely adore; LaMarche hits all the right notes of this perfectly. Robert Irwin, who voiced Robert Furwin, is a nice, charismatic beat to end the film on; if you're going to go Australian celebrity for the koala, an Irwin feels remarkably fitting.

However, the best performance came from Ke Huy Quan, who voiced Gary De'Snake. This role is what this movie hinges on in a lot of ways. Gary might not have as many scenes as our two leads, but his very existence is what sets this movie into motion. However, his place as a kind, determined and empathetic creature is what makes you care for him immediately. There is no voice better for this than Quan's. This is a voice performance that captures gentleness and compassion; you truly believe in Gary's goodness from his first scene, and it helps guide the movie forward. Quan crafts a bright, optimistic spark at the heart of this story, which will win audiences of all ages.

I found that Zootopia 2 had a lot it wanted to achieve, be that the visual gags or the worldbuilding elements or quite simply the story itself. Yet, with so much ambition, the film never really seemed to drop anything; there was just a lot there. The pacing for Zootopia 2 could certainly have been sharper and less long in the tooth. There were many moments in which we didn't need to stay sitting within an environment, but could have just moved forward. I also felt that the way the partnership was tested and the greater message about how Zootopians viewed reptiles held a very similar place to story elements from the first feature. This did tend to work, but I hope the pattern of familiarity is challenged a bit if they keep going forward.

Fortune Feimster, who voiced Nibbles Maplestick, is without a doubt the most annoying addition to the main cast; Feimster's voice is painful and the vocal equivalent of easy-going slapstick. Shakira, who voiced Gazelle, sings 'Zoo' well but adds nothing as a character; the film goes out of its way to shoehorn her in this time around. Nate Torrence, who voiced Clawhauser, is a comedic bit role that probably didn't need to come back so predominantly; within a much bigger cast of characters, Clawhauser falls into the background. Bonnie Hunt and Don Lake, who voiced Bonnie Hopps and Stu Hopps respectively, don't serve their purpose so much in the sequel; the overly concerned parents gag falls flat. Leah Latham, who voiced Fru Fru, is an unfortunate consequence of having LaMarche back; Latham's voice is grating and kills the comedy of the scene. Jenny Slate, who voiced Bellwether, really didn't need to be carted back into the sequel; Slate feels quite overused here and entirely superfluous to the plot. 

Zootopia 2 is quite comfortably the best animated feature of 2025. I would give Zootopia 2 an 8.5/10